"A glider is using the air currents over the wing to produce lift," he said.

"A glider technically is always descending through the air so that air will flow over the wings, but out here on the morning glory the air is rising anyway, so the combination of the slight descent from the glider and the rapid rise of air takes the glider up and causes no problems."

And while Mr Clinton said most seasoned pilots only got a few opportunities to fly the morning glory, Burketown had what he described as a "cracker season".

"On most years they get about four morning glory clouds. We've been here for just a week and we've been on six of them so far."

Cultural meaning

Gangalidda traditional owner Murrandoo Yanner said his people believe the morning glory was created by Walalu, the Rainbow Serpent, and is of great cultural significance.

"The general principle we believe is that the spirits of all our dead ancestors are watching over us and travel on that cloud to check out the lower Gulf and go across all their country," Mr Yanner said.

In her resignation from politics, Kelly O'Dwyer said she feared another miscarriage in Canberra, far from home. Her announcement is shocking for more than just party-political reasons, writes Emma A. Jane.